Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!hybrid!scifi!bywater!uunet!van-bc!jchin
From: jchin@van-bc.wimsey.bc.ca (Joseph Chin)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs.scsi
Subject: Re: Fujitsu hard disks
Summary: #@!? ... but cheap!
Message-ID: <1564@van-bc.wimsey.bc.ca>
Date: 24 Jan 91 06:32:47 GMT
References: <0094325E.CDF9EC80@uclapp.physics.ucla.edu>
Organization: USENET Public Access, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Lines: 35

There have been much discussions at comp.sys.next about the Fujitsu M2263S
SCSI hard drive (approx. 600MB formatted). Here's my summary:

PRO:
-Good price: This hard drive can be found through mail order outlets for
unbelievably low prices! Couple months ago, it was around $1900US, and now
some claimed that they got it for less than $1600!!

CON:
-Below average performance (on the NeXT): my Micropolis 1588-15 scored a
transfer rate of greater than 1.2MB/second, similar capacity WRENs and
Miniscribes got around 900KB/second. The transfer rate was obtained using
the read function of "disk" utility supplied with the Mach operating system
on the NeXT. The Fujitsu got only around 700KB/second. This may be due
to the lack of optimization in the /etc/disktab entry.
-Very noisy: its noise level has been compared to that of the NeXT optical
drive which is pretty loud during seeks.
-Difficulties encountered in setting it up. This may differ for other
computer systems. There were much confusion over the proper jumper settings
and how to get the drive to boot.

Despite the problems and shortcomings, the Fujitsu is still the best value
around! As for me, I opted to pay several hundred extra dollars for a
Micropolis 1588-15 which is quiet, performs well, and very easy to setup.
Also keep your eyes peeled for upcoming new drives (SCSI) from Conner and
Micropolis.

:-) Joe
jchin@van-bc.wimsey.bc.ca

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